Pittsburgh Pirates Primary Logo

The shift in emphasis toward the “P” represents yet another example of a continuing “development” in identity design for all sorts of consumer brands. The new primary logo is both familiar and proprietary, it has the benefit of having accrued nearly 70 years of brand equity and has deep resonance for Pittsburgh fans. The Pirates have used a total of 18 different logos over their 100 year history.

Choose your favorite Pittsburgh Pirate modern times primary logo?

Pittsburgh Pirates Primary Logo 2015 - Present

Pittsburgh Pirates Primary Logo 1997 - 2014

Pittsburgh Pirates Primary Logo 1987 - 1996

Pittsburgh Pirates Primary Logo 1967 - 1986

Pittsburgh Pirates
2015 - Present

The Pirates chose to use a old english letter “P” in yellow, going back to the old style of logo from the early 1900’s. The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.

Pittsburgh Pirates
1997 - 2014

In 1997 with yet another new pirate, described as a “modernized buccaneer.” The new logo featured a front view of a pirates face with red and black poke-a-dot bandana with black patch and a gold erring. Two white and black baseball bats are crossed behind the pirate. A wordmark “PIRATES” above the pirate in gold with orange and black trim.

Pittsburgh Pirates
1987 - 1996

In 1987 the Pirates brand needed to be refresh, the team’s centennial season resulted in a new logo that brought back a pirate logo from 1936, mounted on a yellow baseball diamond. A wordmark “PIRATES” in yellow with a black trim.

Pittsburgh Pirates
1967 - 1986

This buccaneer was illustrated by artist Bob Gessner, who was also responsible for the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins’ skating penguin logo. This newer, friendlier pirate has a black hat and black scarf mounted on a square yellow background. A wordmark “PIRATES” in black at the bottom.

Pittsburgh Pirates
1960 - 1966

In 1958, the Pirates formally replaced their logo with a cartoon image of a stubbled buccaneer wearing a black hat with a red scarf with white dots, black patch and two gold erring. Below the pirate is two gold baseball bats crossed with a wordmark “PIRATES” in black. This logo was drawn by longtime Pittsburgh Press artist Jack Berger, Sr.

Sports Logo Case Study #8—Pittsburgh's Many Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates have demoted their pirate logo to b-status. Their familiar "P" headwear mark—a Pittsburgh constant since 1948—has now shifted to the front of the pack as the club's official primary logo.

Several distinct variations of a pirate have represented the National League's Steel City franchise over the past 80 years.

In the early years of the 20th century, Pittsburgh fielded teams with uniforms that emphasized typography, as witnessed by this 1910 newspaper account describing the club's new look for the coming season.

New artist rendition of a pirate, featuring a red hat with two yellow baseball bats crossed. The pirate has a blue shirt with a yellow scarf.

Pittsburgh Pirates
1936 - 1947

The first logo that is not a letter. The first real Pirate logo has a pirate with a black hat with two baseball bats crossed. The pirate has a blue shirt and a red scarf, who has a mustache and a gold erring.

Pittsburgh Pirates
1933 - 1935

A new design for the Pirates letter “P” in red with a blue trim. The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.

Pittsburgh Pirates
1932

Third time using this block style letter “P” in blue. The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.

Pittsburgh Pirates
1923 - 1931

New style of the letter “P” in blue. The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.

Pittsburgh Pirates
1922

Changed to an old english style letter “P” in blue. The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.

Pittsburgh Pirates
1921

Back to blue block letter “P.” The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.

Pittsburgh Pirates
1920

Back to the letter block style from 1910, however now in red. The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.

Pittsburgh Pirates
1915 - 1919

The Pirates change the font to a font that is similar to Bruce Double Pica letter “P” in red. The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.

Pittsburgh Pirates
1910 - 1914

The Pirates changed back to a single block letter “P” in navy blue. The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.

Pittsburgh Pirates
1908 - 1909

The Pirates changed to a three letter logo in 1908. They used a block letter “B” in red and “P” on top in blue and “C” on the bottom in blue as well. A “PBC” monogram signifying “Pittsburgh Baseball Club.”

Pittsburgh Pirates
1907

Changed the letter logo to an old english letter “P” in red. The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.

Pittsburgh Pirates
1900 - 1906

The first Pirate logo is a block letter “P” in blue. The letter “P” stands for either the city Pittsburgh or the nickname Pirates.

Pirates Logo Comments

Summary

Article Name

Pittsburgh Pirates Primary Logo

Team Logo Description

The shift in emphasis toward the “P” represents yet another example of a continuing “development” in identity design for all sorts of consumer brands.